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Chapter Thirteen
Tatum
Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked by Cage the Elephant blares through the speakers in the living room as I dance around the kitchen in a tank top and boy shorts, getting ready to make popcorn. I wiggle my hips as I pour the kernels in a stockpot, add in a little oil, and cover it with a lid. Once the stove is on, I dance over to the cupboard and grab a couple glasses and the pitcher of sweet tea out of the fridge, setting both on the counter as I go back to the stove and grab the handles on the pot, giving it a good shake. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much but I can’t help it. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy and as strange as it feels, it’s also amazing.
Once the popcorn is done popping, I pour it into a bowl and dance over to the couch. Lincoln should be back soon and I have Road House cued up on the TV. The last time he was over, we spent the whole day watching my favorite movies so it only seems fair that we watch his this time. Glancing down at my bare legs, I wonder if I should put some pants on before grinning. I may not be ready to have sex with him yet but that doesn’t mean I can’t tease. Besides, I’m not opposed to hitting third base to take the edge off for both of us. My phone buzzes from the couch and I walk around to the front, setting the popcorn down on the coffee table so I can grab it.
Lincoln:
Sorry, babe. Shit’s running long and
I’m not going to make it over tonight.
I toss the phone down on the couch with a frown just as it lights up with another text. Sighing, I grab it again.
Lincoln:
Rain check?
Staring at his message, an idea hits me and I smile as I tap my camera app and hold the phone above me, snapping a photo of my body.
Me:
Fine but just know that this is what you’re missing.
Me:
Also, I’ll be watching Road House all by myself.
A few seconds after I press send, my phone rings and Lincoln’s picture pops up on the screen as I laugh.
“Yes?” I answer, still giggling as I turn the music off.
“Are you seriously going to watch Road House half naked?”
I fall back onto the couch and cross my legs in front of me. “I really am. Shame you’re missing it.”
“Fuck, babe,” he groans and I can just imagine him running his hand over his face in frustration – something he does quite often around me. “Just thinking about that is making me hard.”
“That sucks since I was considering letting you get to third base tonight, too.”
“Jesus Christ,” he breathes. “You can’t say shit like that to me when I’m in a clubhouse full of guys.”
“Well, you should have come over.”
He sighs on the other end of the line and an ache forms in my chest. He only left a few hours ago and I already miss him like crazy.
“If I could get away, I would, babe.”
“I know. I’ll let you get back to whatever you’re doing. Just call me tomorrow, okay?”
“Count on it.”
We say good-bye and when I hang up, I sigh and toss the phone next to me on the couch. Never in my life did I think I would be one of those clingy girls but I can’t help it with him. When it comes to him, I’m greedy as hell.
Glancing down at my new tattoo, I run my fingers gently over the raised ink and smile as I remember the drive back to the house. I can’t remember the last time I was that silly around someone and it felt good to just let go. Lincoln makes me feel safe and I wasn’t scanning the street, searching for signs of danger or running through defensive moves in my head. Besides Theo, he may be the only person I can just be myself with.
Lincoln is my escape, my safe place to land and it concerns me how quickly I’m falling for him. It’s like as soon as I let down my guard, he rushed in and stole my heart right out from under my nose and it makes me wonder if I could have been happy long before now. If I had just let someone in, given them a chance, would things have turned out different? Shaking my head, I realize I don’t want things to change because I think, maybe, Lincoln is the prize for all the years of waiting for the right man to come along.
